The History of Aprons

I just recieved this from a friend and thought you would enjoy reading this as well. Thanks Ehart!

The History of APRONS




Mrs. Sarah Canon, Wearing a White Apron, Watching the Chickens Eat Their Feed
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.


When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.


It will be a long time before someone invents something that will; replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know, and love, the story about Grandma's aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron...

But Love !!

Simple Woman Day Book

FOR TODAY Monday, December 29th, 2008
Outside my window...A seven foot snow berm, and more snow falling.

I am thinking...How mysterious it is that when the snow falls the silence is so overwhelming, and yet you would think it would be noisy when the sky is falling

I am thankful that... our Pastor is feeling better and praying God will hold him and his family tight and heal them completly and protect them from the enemy of our souls.
From the kitchen...Bacon, and waffles for the visiting family

I am wearing...a new blue sweater I received from my sister in law for Christmas.

I am creating...signs to place around the house to help MIL with her Alzheimers  such as...Bedroom, bathroom...

I am going...to attempt to make it to the doctor appointment today in this snow

I am reading...Face Down

I am hoping...The power stays on

I am hearing...The clocks ticking

Around the house...A new Bedspread on my bed that my husband bought me for Christmas. It's gorgeous! Gold and cream complete with a bedskirt and throw pillows...all the "foo" as he calls it.
One of my favorite things...quite moments with Jesus

A few plans for the rest of the week: Survive the snow, enjoy family, shovel, bake, laundry, clean, and listen for God.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Prayer Request for Dakota

Prayer request for Dakota...

Many of you received this prayer request yesterday and responded very quickly to our request of prayer for this young man, Dakota...

Hi Dear,
Just a quick note to ask you to pray for Dakota (my husband's boss's son) Dakota was involved in a snowmobiling accident this afternoon. He hurt his spine and shoulder, which the hospital says are going to be ok, but his jaw was broken badly. They are flying him to the hospital right now, and he is supposed to have surgery on his jaw. I will fill you in on details as I get them. Please send this out to your cyberfriends....
Thanks....
Love, me

Here is an update....

Hi Dear,
This just in:
Dakota to be released this afternoon!!!! He made it through surgery!!! Praise God!!!!
Sounds like he's gettin' better fast...
I'll fill you in as I get more info.

Just heard tonight that the family is all together and will be able to celebrate Christmas together as Dakota heals. I praise God for His mercy and healing! Thank you Lord for the skill you gave the doctors.

Thank you all for praying and the emails and now that I have the ok, I am asking the rest of you to pray for this young man and his family as well during this difficult painful road of recovery, they know that you will be praying, and appreciate it, so if you would like to leave a comment it will be passed along.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

It's just amazing how God bends down low to hear us pray, isn't it?

Merry Christmas Dakota and family!

Happy Birthday Dear!

The weather outside is frightful, deep snow, and -9 degress with a windchill of -19. It is a day to snuggle up by the fire with your Bible and Jesus and drink a cup of hot coffee. However, life goes on. So after a nice hot breakfast and a few birthday calls, you are outside in the frigid temperatures clearing the snow that fell again last night on top of the 32 inches from the previous storm. It's not what I would have ordered for your birthday, but you take it in stride.

(I stand corrected...37.3 inches of snow...

the longest, biggest snow storm on record since 1895!)

It gives your mom much joy to watch you through the window as you clear the snow.

She just can't believe how much snow we have or why you and the neighbor guys are out there in the cold. I remind her that you love her and I and you want to keep up safe so we won't slip.

It will be our turn to spoil you again later with lunch at Qdoba with a few others to join us at 1:oo today, and back home again for peppermint ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce.

Oh, there will be time for opening a package or two as well.

In fact,

I want you to know dear

that I hatched a plan to clear the snow yesterday

but it didn't work out.

Your mom....

didn't want to go along with the plan!

Alas... the snow is still there.

Can you believe she didn't want to go along with my plan?? :)

Thanks so much for all you do to keep us safe and warm!

We love you!

Happy Birthday Brad!

Mary had a little Lamb

Mary! had a little Lamb,

His fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went,

The Lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school each day,

T'wasn't even in the rule.

It made the children laugh and play,

To have a Lamb at school.

And then the rules all changed one day,

Illegal it became;

To bring the Lamb of God to school,

Or even speak His Name!

Every day got worse and worse,

And days turned into years.

Instead of hearing children laugh,

We heard gun shots and tears.

What must we do to stop the crime,

That's in our schools today?

Let's let the Lamb come back to school,

And teach our kids to pray!

Ramblings on a Monday

 Praise God for sunshine! Ok along with the sunshine comes single digit temps, but hey, I'm thankful for what I can get. I am so happy to have had time and energy and sunlight all at the same time to clean my kitchen! Those of you who live in areas that recieve much sunshine just don't understand the true meaning of spring cleaning.  With the dark months of the deep winter coing it is so nice to have some sunshine to be able to wipe and dust and sweep and santitize, especially since MIL just got over her cold. Ok so it's not white glove clean as I am interrupted many times, but it's progress, after a few months of disorganization, with still much to do.

I know, I must pace myself at this time of year being a care giver to an Alzheimer's patient. I am surrounded by friends who remind me to not over do it and ask for help when I need it. It's jsut a busy time for everyone right now, and I don't want to share the "germs" of the past few days.

Mary Barrett died.....I am saddened for myself, but know that she has been fighting cancer and is in a much better place...the arms of Jesus now! My soul has been lifted up to heaven in worship of Jesus through Mary's music. I was priveldged to watch her play in person and speak with her on several occasions. Her love of Jesus and His love for her was evident in her writing and composing, and worship.

You can sign her online Guestbook until December 16th 2008
You can listen to some of Mary's Music here.
As well as here for free mp3 downloads of Mary Barret's  Music

When I go don't cry for me
in my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
will all be healed and I'll be whole
So weep not for me my friend
When my life below down ends
For my life belongs to Him
who will raise the dead again!
Mary~

Frugal Friday Christmas gift ideas

Frugal Friday Christams Gift Ideas for the little ones.

Simple Woman's Day Book

Visit Peggy here

For Today...
Outside my window...silly little impatients that do not realize it is November, and I can't believe they are still blossiming let alone growing.
I am thinking...Life is hard but God is good...all the time!
I am thankful for...a beautiful smart well behaved grandaughter
From the kitchen...a clean sink and counter and a table piled with stuff to go through
I am wearing... Long black and white check jumper that I sewed myself a few years ago.
I am reading...Jude...earnestly contend for the faith, and beware of false teachers...these are the last days!
I am hoping...you all enjoy our free mp3 of The Greatest Gift, a Family Original Christmas Song on the side bar of my blog.
I am creating...a big mess before the end of the week, when I hope to have an organized, decorated home for the coming cold and dark winter days
I am hearing...Shirley Temple
Around the house...warm and cozy
One of my favorite things...the smell of gingerbread and decaff coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week...prepare for family

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you yup, grandbabies are the best!

Christmas time is here

Woman with a Candle

Tonight we spent some time celebrating this wonderful season we call Christmas. As Americans we can get so caught up in the parties and schedules and shopping, and miss the whole reason for the season that we celebrate. It's not about the tree, or the gifts, or the parties, but a little baby that was born in a barn.
Not just any baby though, this was the Son of Almighty God. Now think a moment, if you were God wouldn't you send your one and only Son into the lap of luxury, or the center of the Hollywood spotlight, or the highest political seat in the land? Why do you think that God allowed His Son to be born in a barn?
Perhaps God is trying to tell us that riches and power and fame, are not as important as we think they are.
Perhaps humility is more important than all these other things to the heart of God.
It was a pleasure to see the light in my Mother in Laws eyes as she heard her son read the second Chapter of Luke. Some of you who follow this blog know that my MIL has Alzheimers, yet she understands and accepts the truth of God's word as a child, with child like faith. We can learn alot from her. She listened with anticipation as my husband told of how Jesus in humility came to this earth to show us just how much God really loves us and how much we need Him.
We took the time to light two candles tonight to relflect on the this wonderful love story that God has preserved for us in His word, and that Jesus is the light of the world and we are to reflect His light as we love others in this world. We ate something sweet, Mil loves chocolate, so we had chocolate chip cookies to remind us of more of God's words..."Taste and see that the Lord He is good."

Listening to the second chapter of Luke reminded me of a song my husband wrote called "The Greatest Gift" My Husband and I and our two sons recorded the song a few years ago. I'd like to share it with you this Christmas season. You can listen to it by clicking on the player on the right column, and even download an mp3 for free, or click on the link below the player and get the embeddable player for your own site.

Merry Christmas & Blessings in Jesus!

Whate'er befall me

I was waiting for some people the other day, and while waiting I spotted a hymnal, so I took advantage of the few minutes I had and began reading the words of some wonderful powerful songs that were written for our encouragement and God's glory. Many songs today do not express the deep meanings of yesteryear. It didn't take long before I was singing out loud and longing for heaven once again, all the way led by my Savior, my sweet Beloved Jesus!

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well,

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.



All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see.



All the way my Savior leads me;

Oh, the fullness of His grace!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's blest embrace.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

Baking Time

Mmm mmm good!

Great Grandma and I decided to bake some and warm up the house, and she picked this recipe.

After going to church yesterday morning the day just seemed to continue to be cold and rainy so to create a more inviting atmosphere we turned on her sun lamp to brighten things up a bit and had some fun in the kitchen. Thankfully the sun (good source of vitamin D here in the Northwest) broke through today and we went for a drive and soaked in the sun listening to

a tape of a church message we missed.

Russian Tea Cakes

1/2 cup butter at room temp.

1/2 cup solid vegatable shortening

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp Vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans

Beat butter, shortening, 1 cup of the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.

Stir in flour.

Mix in nuts.

Shape dough into balls

Bake @ 325 for 30 minutes

Remove from oven and roll cookies in remaining 1/2 cup sugar and let cool.

makes about 3 dozen

Store in air tight container when cool.

Simple Woman's Day Journal, December 1st. 2008

Click on pic above to visit Peggy

For Today... Monday December 1st, 2008

Outside my window...A cold and foggy December morning, it's just beautiful.

I am thinking...How nice it was to have our son and his wife and our grandaughter, and great grandma here for Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for...for being able to hold my dear grand daughter for two hold hours as she slept while all the other went out Black Friday shopping. (poor me :))

From the kitchen... Russian Tea cakes, Turkey soup, apple and sweet potato slices steamed in apple cider

I am wearing...Olive skirt and T, with a black blouse and shoes, pearl hair combs

I am hoping...To get much done this week beginning with Laundry Monday and organinzing

I am creating...a mess, just a big mess in the living room, but there will light at the end of the tunnel of this week I'm just sure of it.
I am hearing...Silence

Around the house...So much to do, just overwhelmed
One of my favorite things...Having things organized around me and it ain't happenin' just yet, blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken... :)
A few plans for the rest of the week...Grocery Shopping, Organizing home, Visiting Friends, Baking, and cooking with Great Grandma, Craft Faire

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...